Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial WWII field mods NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Martin Decarli
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Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by Martin Decarli » Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:29 pm

Hello boys,
the photo was in CLASSIC MILITARY VEHICLE May 2018
But nothink informatin
Know anybody more about the conversion of Willys?
Thanks
Martin
jeep con 1.jpg
jeep con 1.jpg
Attachments
jeep con 2.jpg


Martin Decarli
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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by Martin Decarli » Mon Jul 13, 2020 6:17 am

Really nobody know more ????????
I would like did conversion body to plastic jeep willys MB
1/35
Thanks

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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by Wolfman » Thu Jul 16, 2020 4:25 am

That is an interesting piece, Martin.
I will admit, I have never seen anything like it.
From the article and personnel experience , I can believe it was created by a bunch of soldiers, hanging out in a motorpool with too much time on their hands.
Nice job !
3 stars on the front bumper ???
Maybe something they put together for the base commander ???
Fishing for an extended leave ??
8)
???
After all the trouble they went to, to create this work, I wonder why they left the front marker light wires draped over the front fender ???
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Martin Decarli
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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by Martin Decarli » Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:11 am

Hi Mike
Yes, many reasons for origin.......

My idea is - car was work with pieces from GB cars...
I think, doors, roof...
But it is only my idea

I am very very inquisitive if anobody will see more photos....

(if I understand - car is today in any collectio)
Martin

Martin Decarli
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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by Martin Decarli » Thu Aug 20, 2020 6:54 am

Really nobody...nothink :-(

mdainsd
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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by mdainsd » Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:35 am

I just acquired a MB that went through similar modifications. Trying to research, but nothing much yet. I do know that the body was not a car body plopped on a jeep. It is made up of dozens of hand beaten panels all welded together over a framework.
sedanette2.jpeg
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by pgcf » Mon Jan 24, 2022 12:39 pm

After the war there were surplus jeeps that were cheaper than a new car with people willing to do modifications and customizations for their customers.

This looks to be one of the better finished examples of a panel beater's work. There are examples of these on the web.

Here is a 1943 MB in England that only retained the frame, engine, and everything forward of the dash and cowl. The rest was redone by a coach builder. I have personally seen this jeep and it was very well done.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20148/lot/362/

In the 20's and 30's you could buy a running chassis and then have the custom body made. Whether it was converting Model T's to trucks or making custom bodies for Dusenbergs this was a common practice at the time and the skills were still out there.

Good Luck if you are bringing this Slat Grille back to original.

Cheers,
Peter

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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by mdainsd » Mon Jan 24, 2022 2:34 pm

Thanks Peter. Currently i have no intention to return it to "original" condition. Its coachwork is part of its history, and how many are there around, other than some terribly cobbled ones I have seen?
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by pgcf » Mon Jan 24, 2022 4:00 pm

Look at the post war Willys wagons. It looks like that's where they were getting their inspiration.

Looks like they added another fuel sump on the passenger side. On the early post war jeeps they put a heat shield on the underside of the body to avoid heating the fuel since they put the muffler under the driver like the MA. You also might consider adding some kind of step for easier access since you have to negotiate the doors.

Good call on leaving it alone.

Cheers,
Peter

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Re: Mysterious BODY - Jeep Willys MB

Post by mdainsd » Mon Jan 24, 2022 5:03 pm

Good eye. A second sump and fuel tank was added to the passenger side. Both tanks got converted to remote fills just behind the doors. The suicide doors also open all they back and secured for “doorless driving.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator


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